What Is The Largest Breed Of Dog?

The Largest Dog Breeds

Surveying the Tallest, Strongest and Most Massive Dogs

There are some big dogs out there if you want one. These dogs are not for apartments (some will do well, if given lots of exercise); they’re just too big. Because of their size they all need obedience training. Here are some of the biggest.

Great Dane

Size/weight: 30 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 28 inches for females.

Temperament: Outgoing. Fine as a family dog, but be careful around small children because he doesn’t understand his size. Sometimes he wants to be a lap dog.

Exercise: He needs exercise every day, but is a loper.

Grooming: Regular bathing, but virtually no brushing.

Drool Factor: Medium.

Life Expectancy: 10.

Other Info: Very muscular.

Irish Wolfhound

Size/Weight: Males should be 32 inches and 120 pounds; females should be 30 inches and 105 pounds.

Temperament: Family-oriented.

Exercise: The Irish Wolfhound was a hunter and still likes to run. He has to be trained to heel.

Grooming: The coat is wiry, but brushing is a must.

Drool Factor: Low to medium.

Life Expectancy: 6-8.

Other Info: The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed of dog.

Mastiff

Size/Weight: Males should be 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and females should be 27½ inches. Males can weigh more than 200 pounds, but usually weigh about 160; females weigh in at a slim, trim 150.

Temperament: Family dog, but massive; dignified.

Exercise: Light exercise.

Grooming: Regular bathing; light brushing.

Drool Factor: High.

Life Expectancy: 10-12.

Other Info: Sometimes used as a guard dog.

Newfoundland

Size/Weight: Males should be 28 inches and from 130 to 150 pounds; females should be 26 inches and weigh from 100 to 120 pounds.

Temperament: One of the gentle giants.

Exercise: He needs daily exercise; long walks for him or swimming.

Grooming: Lots of brushing; lots of shedding.

Drool Factor: Medium to high.

Life Expectancy: 10.

Other Info: He has life-saving abilities in the water and webbed feet.

Saint Bernard

Size/Weight: The dog should be 25½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder and 130 to 180 pounds.

Temperament: Another gentle giant.

Exercise: Daily long walks.

Grooming: Regular brushing; they shed like crazy about twice a year.

Drool Factor: Off the charts.

Life Expectancy: 8-10.

Other Info: They really can rescue people trapped in snow, but the flask of booze is bogus. These dogs like cold weather and snow, so the desert is not for them.

Scottish Deerhound

Size/Weight: Males should be from 30 to 32 inches and from 85 to 110 pounds. Females should be at lest 28 and weigh from 75 to 95 pounds.

Temperament: Family dog with no watch dog capacity of any kind. They need consistent training. He doesn’t tolerate cats or any other non-dog animal.

Exercise: Wants to be a couch potato, but needs to walk or jog.

Grooming: He shed somewhat so brushing is required. Some trimming.

Drool Factor: Low to medium.

Life Expectancy: 10.

Other Info: Scottish Deerhounds were hunters.

Just remember if you choose a large dog, training is imperative, as is exercise. Also, they eat a lot of food, don’t have the life span of a smaller dog, and many of them slobber. Be sure this is what you want because dog ownership is a long-term commitment.